Innovations in Metocean Sensors

Real-time observations are critical to understand, predict and estimate the impact of extreme weather events such as extratropical hurricanes and storms. Remote sensing, moored wave buoys and advances in predictive models have greatly advanced understanding and predictive capability of extreme ocean weather. However, due to cost and complexity of traditional moored buoys, in-situ networks are typically sparse and often close to shore and not well suited to drive predictive models over meaningful geophysical scales. Here we will discuss ongoing efforts to extend the capability of the Sofar Spotter to measure marine boundary layer dynamics. With the advancement to more portable metocean buoys such as Spotter, free-drifting strategies can be deployed, including fast-moving vessels and airplanes. This opens up opportunities for rapid deployment to improve predictive capabilities of extreme weather events and provide continuous data for validation of theoretical models

Real-time wave assimilation using low-cost sensor arrays (Extended Abstract)

In this paper we present the underlying theory and principal results from a new real-time data-assimilation system in which we integrate a dense network of Spotters. The sensor network was deployed as part of the ONR Innershelf DRI experiment during the period from September 2017 till November 2017. The array consists of 18 Spotters, deployed seaward of Point Sal (California) along the 20-, 50- and 100-meter depth contours (Fig. 1). Each of these buoys provides estimates of the complete frequency-directional spectrum every hour. The wave spectra and directional moments are assimilated in real-time using an efficient backward raytracing algorithm to reconstruct the details of the offshore boundary conditions, which is subsequently used to drive a regional wave model to produce a fully dataconstrained nowcast of the regional wave conditions. We will discuss the data-assimilation framework developed in this study and compare assimilated results with conventional model predictions forced with predictions from the global NOAA WAVEWATCH III mode

Real-time wave assimilation using low-cost sensor arrays (Extended Abstract)

In this paper we present the underlying theory and principal results from a new real-time data-assimilation system in which we integrate a dense network of Spotters. The sensor network was deployed as part of the ONR Innershelf DRI experiment during the period from September 2017 till November 2017. The array consists of 18 Spotters, deployed seaward of Point Sal (California) along the 20-, 50- and 100-meter depth contours (Fig. 1). Each of these buoys provides estimates of the complete frequency-directional spectrum every hour. The wave spectra and directional moments are assimilated in real-time using an efficient backward raytracing algorithm to reconstruct the details of the offshore boundary conditions, which is subsequently used to drive a regional wave model to produce a fully dataconstrained nowcast of the regional wave conditions. We will discuss the data-assimilation framework developed in this study and compare assimilated results with conventional model predictions forced with predictions from the global NOAA WAVEWATCH III mode

Adubação nitrogenada para rendimento de milho silagem em sucessão ao azevém pastejado, pré-secado e cobertura em sistemas integrados de produção

Orientador: Anibal de MoraesCoorientadores : Prof. Dr. Volnei Pauletti e Profª Drª Claudete R. LangDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agronomia. Defesa: Curitiba, 31/08/2010Inclui bibliografiaÁrea de concentração: Produção vegetalResumo: Na região sul do Brasil, mais específicamente nos Campos Gerais-PR, o azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam) e o milho (Zea mays L) silagem são as duas forrageiras mais consumidas pelos animais em rodução. O milho é cultivado em sucessão ao azevém, utilizado na forma de pastejo, cobertura, e como silagem pré-secada, sendo uma característica da região. Essa sucessão, com a retirada da biomassa egetal, tanto no pastejo ou pré-secado quanto para a silagem de milho planta inteira, induz a elevadas taxas de aplicação de adubos. Em função disso, buscou-se avaliar o rendimento de milho para silagem da planta inteira, sob plantio direto, submetido a quatro níveis de nitrogênio, em sucessão ao azevém em cobertura, com pastejo e pré-secado. O local do trabalho foi a Unidade Demonstrativa de Leite da Cooperativa Agropecuária Castrolanda, município de Castro, PR. Nos anos agrícolas de 2006/07 e 2007/08 conduziu-se um experimento em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial, com parcelas sub-divididas, e quatro repetições. No inverno, nas parcelas principais, encontravam-se três formas de utilização do azevém (pastejo, pré-secado e cobertura) e no verão, nas sub-parcelas, quatro doses de N para cobertura (0, 60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1) para milho. Avaliou-se o rendimento da massa seca (MS), diâmetro do colmo, altura de plantas, teor de nitrogênio foliar, teor de proteína bruta (PB), teor de fibra detergente neutra (FDN) do milho planta inteira para silagem. Para as doses de N, verificaram-se os melhores rendimentos de MS do milho, quando foram aplicadas as maiores quantidades. Para as formas de utilização do azevém, no primeiro ano de cultivo do milho, a melhor resposta em rendimento em MS do milho ocorreu no pastejo, no segundo ano de cultivo do milho, o melhor rendimento do milho ocorreu no pré-secado. O teor de PB, em percentagem da MS da planta inteira, foi influenciado pela dose crescente de N plicado em cobertura, independentemente da forma de utilização do azevém. O teor FDN, em percentagem da MS da planta inteira, não foi afetado pela forma de utilização do azevém nem pela dose de N. Conclui-se que milho para silagem, cultivado em sucessão ao azevém pastejado e pré-secado, são alternativas a serem adotadas em sistemas integrados de produção.Abstract: In the region of South Brazil, more specifically Campos Gerais in the State of Paraná, annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) and corn silage (Zea mays L) are the two most consumed forages by milk cows. Corn is cultivated after annual ryegrass, which was used due cover crop, grazing or for haylage, this is characteristic for the region. This succession where the forage is removed by grazing or haylage, and corn for silage from the whole plant requires high rates of fertilizers. So the aim was to evaluate corn yield whole plant for silage, cultivated under no tillage system, submitted at four nitrogen rates after annual yegrass by grazing, haylage and cover management. The experiment was carried on at the Demonstrative Milk Unit of the Cooperativa Agropecuaria Castrolanda, at the city of Castro in the state of Paraná, in the agriculture year 2006/07 and 2007/08. The experimental design was the completely randomized block with four replications, four treatments and three different annual ryegrass managements. During the winter the annual ryegrass was managed in plots as cover crop, grazing and haylage, during the summer corn was cultivated in subplots receiving four nitrogen rates (0, 60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1) in covering system. For N rates corn dry matter (DM) production were increased by the highest rates. Corn production DM for silage after annual ryegrass grazing management had the best result at the first year, haylage management in the second year. Corn production DM for silage from the whole plant was evaluated for crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The CP value as percent on dry matter basis was influenced by N rates, independent on annual ryegrass management. The NDF value as percent on dry matter wasn’t influenced by N rates, neither annual ryegrass management. It may be concluded that corn for silage in successive cropping after annual ryegrass grazing and haylage management can be adopted for integrated crop-livestock systems

Development of a fast curing tissue adhesive for meniscus tear repair

Isocyanate-terminated adhesive amphiphilic block copolymers are attractive materials to treat meniscus tears due to their tuneable mechanical properties and good adhesive characteristics. However, a drawback of this class of materials is their relatively long curing time. In this study, we evaluate the use of an amine cross-linker and addition of catalysts as two strategies to accelerate the curing rates of a recently developed biodegradable reactive isocyanate-terminated hyper-branched adhesive block copolymer prepared from polyethylene glycol (PEG), trimethylene carbonate, citric acid and hexamethylene diisocyanate. The curing kinetics of the hyper-branched adhesive alone and in combination with different concentrations of spermidine solutions, and after addition of 2,2-dimorpholinodiethylether (DMDEE) or 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2] octane (DABCO) were determined using FTIR. Additionally, lap-shear adhesion tests using all compositions at various time points were performed. The two most promising compositions of the fast curing adhesives were evaluated in a meniscus bucket handle lesion model and their performance was compared with that of fibrin glue. The results showed that addition of both spermidine and catalysts to the adhesive copolymer can accelerate the curing rate and that firm adhesion can already be achieved after 2 h. The adhesive strength to meniscus tissue of 3.2–3.7 N was considerably higher for the newly developed compositions than for fibrin glue (0.3 N). The proposed combination of an adhesive component and a cross-linking component or catalyst is a promising way to accelerate curing rates of isocyanate-terminated tissue adhesives

Assessment of the use of partitioning and interfacial tracers to determine the content and mass removal rates of nonaqueous phase liquids

It was assessed whether partitioning and interfacial tracers can be used to determine the content and mass removal rate of nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) in porous media. Retardation factors for these tracers were determined for five different model matrices contaminated with hexadecane as NAPL. The retardation of the partitioning tracer 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanol was correlated with the degree of NAPL saturation for four of the five matrices (r(2) = 0.93, n = 8), The observed retardation factors matched the retardation factors predicted with the independently determined hexadecane-water partitioning constant and the degree of NAPL saturation, indicating that this tracer may be used to estimate the degree of NAPL saturation of porous media. The mass removal rates of NAPL from columns packed with different matrices were determined by measuring the amount of hexadecane in the column effluent during elution with electrolyte solution. These removal rates differed over 3 orders of magnitude, dependent on the matrix used. The retardation of the interfacial tracer alkylbenzenesulfonate was higher for matrices with higher NAPL mass removal rates but was not correlated to the degree of NAPL saturation. This indicates that the retardation factors of alkylbenzenesulfonates in NAPL-contaminated media contain information related to the NAPL mass removal rates

Variation in genomic islands contribute to genome plasticity in cupriavidus metallidurans

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Different <it>Cupriavidus metallidurans </it>strains isolated from metal-contaminated and other anthropogenic environments were genotypically and phenotypically compared with <it>C. metallidurans </it>type strain CH34. The latter is well-studied for its resistance to a wide range of metals, which is carried for a substantial part by its two megaplasmids pMOL28 and pMOL30.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) indicated that the extensive arsenal of determinants involved in metal resistance was well conserved among the different <it>C. metallidurans </it>strains. Contrary, the mobile genetic elements identified in type strain CH34 were not present in all strains but clearly showed a pattern, although, not directly related to a particular biotope nor location (geographical). One group of strains carried almost all mobile genetic elements, while these were much less abundant in the second group. This occurrence was also reflected in their ability to degrade toluene and grow autotrophically on hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide, which are two traits linked to separate genomic islands of the Tn<it>4371</it>-family. In addition, the clear pattern of genomic islands distribution allowed to identify new putative genomic islands on chromosome 1 and 2 of <it>C. metallidurans </it>CH34.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Metal resistance determinants are shared by all <it>C. metallidurans </it>strains and their occurrence is apparently irrespective of the strain's isolation type and place. <it>Cupriavidus metallidurans </it>strains do display substantial differences in the diversity and size of their mobile gene pool, which may be extensive in some (including the type strain) while marginal in others.</p

Ferrihydrite formation : the role of Fe13 Keggin clusters

Ferrihydrite is the most common iron oxyhydroxide found in soil and is a key sequester of contaminants in the environment. Ferrihydrite formation is also a common component of many treatment processes for clean-up of industrial effluents. Here we characterize ferrihydrite formation during the titration of an acidic ferric nitrate solution with NaOH. In-situ SAXS measurements supported by ex situ TEM indicate that initailly Fe13 Keggin clusters (radius ~0.45 nm) form in solution at pH 0.5 - 1.5, and are persistant for at least 18 days. The Fe13 clusters begin to aggregate above ~ pH 1, initially forming highly linear structures. Above pH ~ 2 densification of the aggregates occurs in conjunction with precipiation of low molecular weight Fe(III) speices (e.g. monomers, dimers) to form mass fractal aggregates of ferrihydrite nanoparticles (~ 3 nm) in which the Fe13 Keggin motif is preserved. SAXS analysis indicates the ferrihydrite particles have a core-shell structure consisting of a Keggin center surrounded by a Fe-depleted shell, supporting the surface depleted model of ferrihydrite. Overall, we present the first direct evidence for the role of Fe13 clusters in the pathway of ferrihydrite formation during base hydrolysis, showing clear structural continuity from isolated Fe13 Keggins to the ferrihydrite particle structure. The results have direct relevance to the fundamental understanding of ferrihydrite formation in environmental, engineered and industrial processes